Dark circles under eyes can make you look old, unhealthy,
and exhausted, even if you're young, healthy, and well-rested. Learn about the
causes of dark circles, what you can do to prevent them, and how to
minimize
their appearance with home or medical treatments.
A great deal of folklore is associated with dark circles
under the eyes, also known as "eye circles," "allergic
shiners," and "raccoon attacks." People often assume that these
bluish or grayish blemishes are the result of too much partying or an unhealthy
constitution.
In most cases, though, dark circles aren't a sign of
anything sinister. Since even children get them, they aren't even necessarily a
sign of aging.
Still, there's no doubt that dark circles can make you look
older and unhealthier than you are. By taking certain precautions, you may be
able to prevent dark circles from forming. If these measures don't work, home
remedies or medical treatments may be the key to banishing these all-too-common
blemishes.
The Causes of Dark Circles
Skin under the eyes is extremely thin — only about half a
millimeter thick — so it is naturally likely to take on a blue or grayish tint
from the veins that rest beneath. Dark circles may be more noticeable if you
have inherited traits such as fair and transparent skin, or deep-set eyes.
Other causes of dark circles include:
·
Allergic conditions such as hay fever or eczema.
The associated itchiness often leads to eye rubbing, resulting in what is
sometimes called an "allergic shiner."
·
Dehydration.
·
Fatigue.
·
Fluid retention, often caused by smoking; a
salt-rich diet; conditions affecting the heart, thyroid, kidney, and liver; or
medications that cause blood-vessel dilation.
·
Iron-deficiency anemia.
·
Nasal congestion.
·
Pigmentation disorders, especially in
people of color.
·
Sun exposure, which prompts excessive
melanin production.
·
Thinning skin. Over time, skin under the
eyes loses fat and collagen, which makes dark circles more noticeable.
Prevention
of Dark Circles
Strategies for preventing dark circles include:
·
Appropriate treatment of
allergies, nasal congestion, and other medical conditions.
·
Adequate fluid intake.
·
Avoidance of smoking,
excessive salt intake, and sun exposure.
·
Eating foods rich in
vitamin C. These include cranberries, blueberries, bilberries, tea (green or
black), black currants, onions, legumes, and parsley, and dietary supplements
such as grape seed extract and Pycnogenol .
Home
Treatment of Dark Circles
Time-honored home treatments, which may temporarily reduce
the appearance of dark circles, include the regular application of cool
cucumber slices, raw potato slices, or tea bags under the eyes for 15 minutes
at a time. Other possibly effective applications include:
·
Preparation H cream, a hemorrhoid treatment
that may tighten skin and decrease the appearance of eye bags.
·
Creams containing vitamins C, K, E, or retinol.
Dermatologists also recommend propping extra pillows beneath
your head while you sleep to prevent fluid accumulation under your eyes,
rinsing congested nasal passages with a saline solution, and applying
peach-colored concealers to hide bluish-colored circles. Be aware that scented
cosmetics, and those containing glycolic acid or salicylic acid, may exacerbate
dark circles.
Medical
Treatments for Dark Circles
If preventive and home-treatment measures don't work, talk
to your doctor or dermatologist. She may recommend any of the following:
·
Prescription-strength creams.
·
Chemical peels.
·
Injectable wrinkle fillers.
·
Laser therapy.
·
Eyelift surgery.
Dark circles can affect anyone and exact a toll on their
self-esteem. Although it's not always possible to prevent these bluish and
grayish blemishes, home and medical treatments can help erase the raccoon look
and allow the real you to shine through.
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